Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

After the meeting, Alan picked Aria and reached City B's Penitentiary.

Aria and Alan were led inside after security check.

Sitting in front of an old man, Aria subconsciously clutched Alan's hand tighter. Alan patted her hand gently. He knows her fear was deeply rooted in her teenage years which wouldn't be easy to erase.

"Why are you here?" A hoarse voice asked, seeing her.

Aria went directly to the point, "Who gave you money for filing the lawsuit for my custody?"

Lucas Cooper wasn't any stubborn, egoistic man. He looked a lot aged and his face was still soft looking at her.

"I don't know. It was wired internationally. It was a man who knew about his activity." He pointed at Alan and continued, "That man didn't want Morgan's family to help you. He said he will give Skyline to me and told me to take you away from Morgans."

Aria slightly quivered without daring to imagine 'if'. Lucas Cooper was just a pawn.

The main aim wasn't the Skyline but to separate her from the Morgan family who was the only ones who stood by her with all ups and downs.

"I'm married. Alan is my husband."

Alan who was thinking who could hold a grudge that they wanted Aria to suffer, saw her unyieldingly saying they failed and she was with the Morgan family.

Lucas's expression didn't change much other than nodding glancing at Alan who was holding her hand tight.

"That man knows you two well but he always cursed you and never said a negative about your husband or Morgan family. If he isn't found, you should be careful."

Aria nodded but asked, "Why are you telling me all these now?"

He simpered thinking about the past, "I wanted money but didn't get. Even if I come out, I will have no strength to do anything. At least you live your life."

Aria didn't give much of a reaction hearing that and she thought the detention center this time must have changed him for good.

"There is a woman who is telling her son's father is Dad. She had.."

Lucas frowned hearing that and said through his teeth, "What nonsense is that? I had died telling him to get another woman for the heir and he objected to me every single time. You and Emily were his life. Where the hell did that bitch come from?"

Aria was cent percent sure Calvin can't be her half brother but to prove, "I need your hair sample for the DNA test. Siblings test can't be done."

Aria had thought Lucas would laugh at her saying she wanted Skyline so she wasn't accepting the man. Or Lucas might argue to take him so that family lineage could continue but he didn't, he forcefully pulled his hair and pushed out at the small counter.

"For blood, you might have to get a permission letter."

Aria was surprised.

Alan didn't react to it. He placed tissue on the hair and picked it. He dropped it into a small transparent packet.

Alan stood up as their work was done, Aria tried to speak, "After... After..."

"I'll send a car to pick you when you will be released. Take care of your health." Alan said indifferently to Lucas Cooper what Aria wanted to say.

He wrapped his hand around Aria's shoulder and took her out. Seeing him changed, he knew Aria couldn't hold her anger. Since Lucas Cooper was her grandfather, he thought to arrange for his stay.

Lucas Cooper saw the couple leaving and resignedly smiled to himself.

He heard a Prison warden ask in astonishment, "Aren't they the famous Presidents of Morgan and Skyline Industries?... Are you really Lucas Cooper, grandfather of President Cooper?"

Lucas walked out of the room saying, "I wish I was."

It was the first time he got a visitor even though they needed his help. He wasn't sure if he would be living three and a half years to release from the prison, he just prayed the couple to live happily.

Aria asked in the car, "Did I rush about Lucas Cooper? Seeing him changed, I feel like I should have tried to change him."

Alan tugged her near, "No, that time, it was the best choice. You weren't alone behind that. President Cooper, how can you take all the credits?"

Aria smiled but it didn't stay long, "Alan, even before we were together, that man wanted to pull the whole family support from me. You proposed to me on the next day of the first court session."

Alan diverted the main topic, "Don't you think they did right too? Else I would have still waited a long time and the topic wouldn't have come up."

Aria chuckled hearing him, "My opinion on you started to change from the time I scolded you... I need a hug."

Aria promptly inserted herself between the steering wheel and Alan who was almost shocked and steadied the car on the lane.

"Honey I am driving." He said helplessly pushing the seat slightly back for her to be comfortable.

Seeing her manage in a confined place for the bear hug, he couldn't help but say, "You are so tiny."

"I knew the day when you hugged me seeing me cry laying on the floor. I felt like Dad was back to protect me from everything."

Alan caressed her head hearing that "Hence you continued crying."

Aria hummed. "Thinking back, probably, I would have still given it a thought if you asked me out sooner but yeah. your plan was still good because I got to know you are outgoing too and I was so dumb, even if I knew you treated me special, I thought because I was your ward."

"Yeah, you are a dummy."

Aria giggled started teasing him till they reached the restaurant for lunch.

The restaurant valet's mouth was wide open seeing two alighting from the driver seat.

Aria quickly went inside to escape but got punished for seducing Alan then both got back to finish lots of work.

---

Aria was doing her work when her mobile went off displaying Noah's name. She answered it to hear his anxious tone.

"Arrie, Chairman Hanes is at Wood mansion with nearly twenty guards. I'm on the way home..."

Aria pulled her hair in frustration, "This man doesn't learn until he dies. I'm coming."